Reconstruct offers Independent visitors to children and young people in care and care leavers. We have been working with young people for over 30 years providing Independent Visitors, volunteers who ...
Befriending (Independent Visitor Volunteer)
Practical details
Volunteering • Ongoing role
Contact person
Leanne McGowan
Provided
Requirements
#127857
Scan me or visit www.govolunteerglos.org/o/Reconstruct-Children-and-Adult-Services-ltd/opportunities/Befriending-Independent-Visitor-Volunteer/127857 to join
An Independent Visitor is an adult volunteer who befriends a young person in care and develops a long-term friendship with them.
This often involves helping young people develop new interests, skills and hobbies or going on outings such as to the cinema, bowling or just a walk in the park.
You must be 21+, available for flexible working and able to commit to a minimum of 2 years. As a volunteer, you would spend about 2-4 hours every month with your allocated child.
Each volunteer is carefully matched with a child or young person in care in their local area who shares similar interests.
WHAT DO INDEPENDENT VISITORS DO?
- Visit a child monthly and becomes a trusted adult friend to them.
- Provide a consistent and reliable adult with a view to building a trusting and positive relationship with the child.
- Provide a child with the opportunity to try new activities and spend time with them away from their placement. This in turn can enhance progress and resilience of children, by building self-esteem, strengthening mental health, and opening new social relationships outside of the care system.
WHAT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE DO YOU NEED?
- Interpersonal Skills – Ability to easily build rapport an identify with children and young people.
- Communication – Excellent communication skills, good report writing skills.
- Committed – Willing to commit to a child for at least one year and preferably two years.
- Role Model – A good role model for a child or young person who may have experienced difficult times during their childhood.
- DBS Check – We will carry out safer recruitment checks and you will be required to have an Enhanced DBS check.
Examples of activities can include:
- Sports
- Play football
- Cinema
- Bowling
- Go to the library
You will be allocated a budget for each visit of £20.00 for your activity, and payment of your expenses, are paid so you are not out of pocket. These include, travel costs, and parking.
As part of the recruitment process, candidates will be required to attend necessary training for the role. Interviews will be arranged in due course thereafter.
Related to
About Reconstruct Children and Adult Services ltd
Reconstruct offers Independent visitors to children and young people in care and care leavers. We have been working with young people for over 30 years providing Independent Visitors, volunteers who are recruited, trained and supported by us.
What our Independent Visitors do:
BEFRIEND: Visit a child on a regular basis, usually once a month, to befriend them.
ADVISE: Provide Looked After Children with someone to talk to who is independent of the local authority.
SUPPORT: Provide a consistent and reliable adult with a view to building a trusting and positive relationship with the child.
DEVELOP: Provide a child with the opportunity to try new activities and spend time away from their placement.